Nuclear Science
A 1-hour guided curriculum · Age 10 · Beginner Friendly
Everything around you — air, water, your body — is made of atoms. They're incredibly tiny, but they hold a huge amount of energy inside. This module introduces you to the atom's structure and the concept of nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms (fission) or joining atoms together (fusion). When heavy atoms like uranium split, they release enormous energy — that's what powers nuclear reactors and, at its most extreme, nuclear weapons.
A nuclear power plant uses controlled fission reactions to heat water into steam, which spins turbines to generate electricity — the same principle as a coal plant, but with no carbon emissions during operation. About 10% of the world's electricity comes from nuclear power today.
The discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 changed the world forever. From the Manhattan Project to the Cold War arms race, and eventually to international treaties reducing nuclear weapons — this module covers the history and why it matters today.
Radiation sounds scary, but we're exposed to small amounts of natural radiation every day — from the Sun, rocks, even bananas! This final module covers radiation safety, nuclear waste challenges, and exciting future technologies like fusion power.